If you are considering painting your exterior walls, you'll need to consider the protection of your plants and tips for getting behind your bush and shrubs before painting. If you are trying to renovate your home's exterior, bushes can be problematic. Removing plants in pots is easy – they only need to be removed from the work area. But having trees, shrubs, and especially bushes is a significant obstruction when doing house painting.
If you are trying to improve the curb appeal of your home by painting the exterior of your home yourself, you know that plants and bushes can make the job much harder. While established bushes and trees definitely increase the value of a home, when you are trying to make incremental improvements, like painting behind them, it can be a tough job to tackle.

Bushes might restrict you or the professional painters you hire to access to the exterior of your home. It may also be unsafe to paint when the plants you have around have thorns (especially if you have large rose bushes), and it can be trouble when you are awaiting for walls to dry in windy conditions when plants are nearby. In addition, any paint overspray on plants can produce toxic substances that hurt and damage your plants.
Getting a professional in outdoor or exterior painting can be a simple fix if you don't have the time, but have the money to spare. But if you are into saving cash, painting the exterior of your home doesn't have to be a pain. I'm going to share with you some of our best tips and hacks to pulling bushes and established plants so that you can get to that tricky spot on the exterior of your home.
Are you into DIY painting and would love to do it on your home exterior, but do your plants as bushes get in the way? I am sharing how to paint around bushes and tips on protecting established bushes and big flower beds during painting.

In This Post
Painting Around Bushes and Shrubs Outdoors Tips and Tricks
Here are some ideas and tips on how to do DIY exterior house painting and how to protect yourself and your plants during painting.
Protecting Bushes and Trees
On your prep for exterior house painting, you have to make sure the ground, bushes, and other vegetation are removed in the area. If your plants are impossible to remove, you must make sure they are well covered and protected. Removing extra vegetation is an easy step in ensuring you have the proper clearance for painting. When you are endeavoring on exterior house painting, you will need easy access to the walls and window frames. Planning how to do your exterior painting is one way to make it easier, safer, and manageable.
Trim Back Bushes If Possible
Before painting the exterior of your property, it is best to cut back your plants. Having trimmed back bushes will not only give you enough space to work on your painting and to store your painting tools, but it will also make your plants secure.
Trimmed bushes are less likely to get paint on them. Also, removing any branches or stems that may be obstructing your lawn will give you an extra layer of protection whenever you are working on your outdoor painting project.

Paint When Plants Are Dormant If Possible
Plants go through a form of protective sleep called dormancy. Some example of dormant plants are trees that shed their leaves during the fall season and Christmas poinsettias.
Some areas do not have the luxury to grow plants that can go dormant. However, if you live in a warm place and can paint your house at any time of year, it is best to do it when your plants are dormant.
When plants go dormant, they lose their stems and leaves. Take advantage of that time when doing your house painting, as you will have a lesser plant area to cover and protect.
Move your Plants if Possible
If you have plants planted into the ground, relocating them might be a challenging task. However, if you do not want to trim them or are afraid to have them covered, relocating your plant may be your last option.
You can dig out your plant and place it in a container until the painting project is completed.
Best Tips on Getting Bushes Away from Exterior Walls During Painting
When painting the exterior of your home, it is critical to safeguard your plants. Paints release dangerous chemicals that may hurt or kill the plants in your landscapes.
There are many ways to make your DIY exterior house painting easier. I am sharing some simple and significant ways to protect and keep your bushes off exterior walls while painting.
Tarp
Tarpaulin or tarp is a huge sheet of strong, waterproof, and flexible material used to cover a specific area mainly. An example of a tarp is a plastic cover or a tarpaulin canvas.
Usually, the tarp's side has attachment points for rope or paracord so they can be tied down or suspended.

T-Post or Fence Post
T-posts or Fence posts are a type of fence post or picket used to hold wire fencing. They can also carry a variety of wire and wire mesh materials in place.
The post's end view creates a clear T, Y, or another shape.

T-Post Driver / Fence Post Driver
A T-Post or a Fence Post Driver is a tool used to drive fence posts and other similar items into the ground.
In the United States, T posts are more common. While in Australia and New Zealand, Y posts are more known.

Paracord
Paracord is a kind of nylon rope that is strong, thin, and easy to carry. It is usually used for various survival activities, outdoor, home, and arts and crafts.

How to Paint Around Bushes and Trees
How to Paint Around Bushes and Shrubs

Discover how you can easily paint behind the bush! Here is a step-by-step guide on painting around bushes, shrubs, and other established plants.
Materials
- Exterior Paint
Tools
- Tarp
- T-post or Fence Post
- T-Post Driver
- Paracord
Instructions
- Prepare and gather all the materials needed: Tarp, T-post or Fence Post, T-Post Driver, and Paracord.
- Cover the bushes, trees, or plants around your home with the tarp.
- Tie the paracord to the attachments rope of the tarp
- Install your T-Post Fence using your T-Post Driver/Fence Post Driver to the ground.
- At least halfway up the trunk, tie one end of the paracord in the T-Post Fence.
- Pull the tarp-covered bushes away from the house with the paracord.
- Attached is the end of the paracord to the T-Post Fence.
- When you are done with your home exterior painting (assume that the paint is also dry), remove the paracord and tarp from the bushes/plants.
Notes
You have to remember that the tarp will cover the bushes at the exterior painting time. It is recommended watering first your bushes or any plants you have to prevent plant dehydration problems.
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Important Notes
Plants exposed to the light for long periods are sensitive to dehydration. However, please do not soak the ground with water. Otherwise, the soil will be too soft that it may not support some of the tools you need while painting, such as painter's ladders and scaffolding.

Web story for how to paint around bushes and shrubs.
Summary of Tips for Painting Around Bushes and Shrubs
Covering your trees, bushes, or shrubs is an excellent way to keep your plants and greens safe from paint debris. These were easy and quick tips to protect and cover your plants when you are doing home exterior painting.
While it is essential to safeguard your bushes, it is more important to protect yourself. When painting, always be cautious. Not only is it necessary to wear protective clothing, but it is also best when you have a well-maintained and durable tool to use in painting, such as ladders or scaffolding.
Covering your bushes is also a safe option for exterior house painting. It is essential to make room for yourself to have better access to the area you will be working for.
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